$210 Month Koh Phangan Beachfront + Castaway on Hin Kong 

Five Star Hotels have a hughe Carbon Footprint.

North Vancouver is my hometown and yes, cost of living in Thailand is easily 50%+ less overall, 75%+ less for rent. Mind you I do miss rollerblading thru Stanley Park, along the seawall, English Bay & Kits, hiking North Shore Mtns and especially skiing at Whistler...

@@SideTripLife Similar memories of Vancouver I share with you. But time to move on. You're lifestyle over there is what I look for. You're videos are getting me through the wait until I get there

@@SideTripLife rollerblading is for kids :-)

Did you succeed in acquiring your OA VISA?

Cheers Christian, enjoy your trip! STL

Mike, keep in mind these were 'rona prices. I noted the price in normal times was 1500 Baht/$45 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-t1N9SpYEik8.html Still not bad considering 45 bucks for a tropical beach room (vs $100+ for a crappy motel back in my home;)

No exercise what so ever? You can do push-ups, sit-ups and squats everywhere.

Nadinnnnnne:):):) I was just thinking about you and Khanom! I still plan on coming back. Meanwhile, any who have not seen lovely Khanom and Nadine (the Serpent catcher;) please see this vid: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-bwVt5uFEyRM.html

@@SideTripLife Good! l thought you had forgotten about lovely Khanom! Koh Phangan looks nice, l should try it... and l have a couple of Swiss friends there in Tong sala. They have a special jewelry shop "Beaton". lf you have a chance to find them, please say hey for me (Bea and Toni) lovely couple

Thanks for sharing your fond memories Basil. My previous visit before this one was in December 2020 and tides were indeed higher. As you know first hand West side is typically shallower due to reefs ringing most beaches along an elongated shelf (Hin Kong bay in this vid a good example). During SW Monsoon season (Jun-Oct) diurnal tides are most common with high tide often at night. November kicks off NE monsoon and higher tides. My bad on the 'Mexican' miscue (laughing at myself at this gaffe;) Have eaten at Chana Masala vegetarian INDIAN and agree it really was fantastic, also the the entire atmosphere as you could attest. Don't recall seeing the Fruitarian, hopefully just a temp closure.

@@SideTripLife Thanks for response. This all makes sense as I'd often hear the waves lapping at my beach hut (OK Bungalows - southern end of Hin Kong) at night. And late one night the Aussie owner (Michael) took his low-powered boat out from shore and towed me and others on an inflatable. Oh and - very relevant for your channel - the resort had a rescued myna bird called Lucky.

It really was and will be again but from today takeaway rule in effect on KPG/Tao.

Just a heads-up Nigel, KPG/Tao went into takeaway only mode for restaurants yesterday but hopefully by the time you sandbox in they'll be clear. Either way, KPG still gorgeous.

@@SideTripLife Thanks for the heads up👍

@@SideTripLife What a joke for a Island

@Crypto Crusader I get that any restrictions are frustrating and but I also get that KPG IS indeed just a small Island, with equally small resources - ie just a few ICU beds and very limited resources (which are at capacity already). So this is a precautionary move and as they get a handle on the recent uptick no doubt the restrictions will be lifted soon. Going fwd as Thailand ramps up vax, incoming travel restrictions should also be eased in phases. Let's leave it there Thanks

I don't recall the room number but if you say 'same one as sidetriplife' they may remember lol

Thx Tony. Loved the bungalow too just less mozzies/mosquitos upstairs on the balcony at night and brighter room.

@@SideTripLife hi sidetriplife sorry about my spelling. this morning had just woke up, nice relaxing music with your sundown dinner.

Thanks Simo. I feel super grateful and downright LUCKY to be here. Hope you can get back after the coming vax ramp up here. Sure there'll be annual boosters etc but we'll get through this, hang in there.

@@SideTripLife 🤞🙏

Unfortunately KPG was overrun after 'rona, now so many long stayers rent has gone way up (and it's mainly foreigners who are charging crazy prices driving up costs)

@@SideTripLife how sad. Glad you got to spend time when it was at its best. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your fascinating life

Thanks for the comment and for coming along. There's a long high bamboo fence separating the roadway which seems to help, didn't notice much traffic noise.

Thanks. For sure FX rates always in a state of flux but according to Google FX 7000 THB = 288 AUD today and I quoted 285 a few weeks ago: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-t1N9SpYEik8.html Regardless, great to see the Aussie $ climb back from around 19 to over 24, & similar gains for my Canuck loonie/northern peso;)

Well spotted MDD. Lesser known but equally amazing Esther Philips: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-giCf5vu86NE.html

Me I really like your style 💯♥️

I live in Thailand Bangkok I waiting you

Thanks. I use 1 device, this one: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-AxZojlP1nSs.html

Damn, I really DID say 'Mexican' lmao! Well spotted and yes, it's a very popular INDIAN Vegetarian restaurant lol

Cheers Danny

The tide does come in later but yes, it's a shallow bay.

@@SideTripLife I understood that :) I prefer the beaches with a little deeper water, then there are more fun waves to play around in :)

Wanted to keep it simple but mask muffle & wind noise dictates I need to pony up for a mic. I may do once back in Bangkok. The simplest and best is wireless Rhode Go2 mic weighing in at $300 (ouch)

@@SideTripLife ohh I understand 😀

Thai people rarely swim in daytime to avoid the sun plus few tourists at that time and I usually try to go to less crowded places. Or, if you prefer: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-MsPtGO6QKac.html

@@SideTripLife thank you so much for your reply.

@@SideTripLife thank you so much for your reply. I really don't like crowded places either. I am 70 years old. Have always been a swimmer and am considering moving to Thailand. The USA has become much too expensive and I could live well there. Physically economically and spiritually By the way, throughout my life I've always chosen places to live from side trips 😃

Haadrin coming up next vid

YES! Stay tuned...

@@SideTripLife always tuned!!! Saludos desde Argentina

Didn't notice a safe and don't think they have a/c option keeping with the 'Castaway' theme.

90 day report for long term visa holders is not the same and separate from TM 30 which the hotel does (or should do). Several great gyms on KPG.

Hi, since the time this was filmed, Thailand reopened fully and KPG tourism went well, berserk. There were already foreigners leasing multiple houses and then sub-letting at much higher prices and this has just increased. Also with the huge influx of long stayers it's been tougher to find great value accommodation. But there's still gems to be found, esp in low season so have a look on local FB groups. The largest expat group is Koh Phangan 'Conscious Community' (despite the name, best be wary on there;). Last, as a female also be aware there's many phony 'gurus', life coaches and new age posers who's top priority is feeling more than your energy. Other than that, I love KPG and will return to do a proper follow-up soon. STL

@@SideTripLife Oh my God I have seen how much prices have escalated! It is insane! And I don't want any guru's touchy Feeley haha ha I'm just hopeful that I find somewhere quiet that I can read drink good coffee walk on the beach even in the rainy season which apparently I'm going to head in 2 and I welcome any advice you have and are you coming to the island anytime soon? I would love to meet you!

Personally almost never book beforehand. I arrive, pay for a night or two, then look around and select a place for longer term. Keep in mind the monthly prices shown in my vid are due to the rona situation. However, can still find monthly prices under 10K/$300 on KPG even in 'normal' times. Again, best pay just a couple nights and look around. A good place to start looking is on Koh Phangan Rentals FB groups.

@@SideTripLife great advice. Thx for the quick response. I’m looking to travel with my beagle, are most places dog friendly?

Regret to inform you since world travel reopened Koh Phangan has seen the largest influx of long-stayers ever, in fact it has become difficult to find a decent priced bungalow for 2-3 months. Plus foreigners have snapped up many local deals and sublet them to newbie foreigners at exorbitant prices. On the upside (for you, not me;) there's no shortage of people, from wannabe gurus, lost life coaches, phony tantra yoni seekers and on and on... farewell KPG, loved you so much.